What does a home inspector look at in an Ottawa house?

A home inspection is a visual examination of a home's condition and structure, carried out on-site and in person. Ontario.ca describes it as "an on-site, in-person examination of a home's condition and structure" covering major elements and systems.

What the inspector looks at

Ontario.ca lists the areas an inspector will typically examine:

• the foundation
• doors and windows
• the roof, if they are able and it is safe to do so
• exterior walls
• attics
• plumbing and electrical systems, where visible
• heating and air conditioning systems
• ceilings, walls and floors
• insulation, where visible
• ventilation systems
• drainage away from the building, slopes and natural vegetation
• an overall assessment of the structural integrity of the building
• common areas in a condominium

The federal Office of Consumer Affairs adds site features such as the driveway, fence and deck, and life safety systems including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire egress.

The inspection is non-invasive and visual. The report will normally show the condition of every major system and component, areas that are unsafe or need repair or replacement, anything not working properly, and any evidence of past problems.

There are limits worth knowing. Ontario.ca is clear that a home inspection is not a pass or fail test and does not assess whether a home meets zoning or building codes. An inspector cannot see or find everything: a roof covered in snow, for example, may not be accessible. The inspection does not come with a warranty or guarantee on the home's condition. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs notes that an inspector should not give you estimates of repair or renovation costs; written quotes from the trades who would do the work are the right source for those figures.

What the inspector can actually access matters. The Office of Consumer Affairs advises making sure the seller or agent makes all areas of the home accessible before the inspection day. If a space is locked or blocked, it may not make it into the report.

Ontario.ca also says that if you are the buyer, you should be there for the inspection. Walking through with the inspector gives you a chance to ask questions about what you are seeing in real time, which a written report alone cannot fully replace.

If you want to be matched with local home inspectors through the Ottawa Construction Network directory, you can submit a request using the form on this page.

Before you book, ask the inspector to send you a sample report so you can see exactly how they document what they find and what level of detail you can expect.